Bush announces new nuclear cut-back
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PRESIDENT George Bush said last night that the United States would cease production of weapons-grade plutonium and highly enriched uranium in order to discourage the spread of nuclear weapons, writes Christopher Bellamy. Some observers pointed out that with vast quantities of nuclear fissile material having to be disposed of as thousands of warheads are destroyed continued production is in any case nonsensical.
Nuclear weapons experts also said that while referring to plutonium and highly enriched uranium, Mr Bush did not mention tritium, a crucial ingredient of fusion ('hydrogen') and 'boosted fission' weapons. Tritium has a very short life and is the one ingredient which has to be continually replaced to keep modern nuclear arsenals functioning. Gary Milholin, the director of the Wisconsin Project, a nuclear watchdog group, said to be 'meaningful' Mr Bush should have announced a freeze on nuclear testing. He called the announcement 'fairly insignificant'.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments